Crows rookie Matthew Jaensch was one of the better performed Crows in round one of the SANFL on the weekend.

Jaensch (19 kicks, 11 handballs, 7 marks) started on a wing for the Double Blues in their draw with South Adelaide and then moved to defence where he collected 19 of his 30 disposals. He handled the ball very cleanly, rarely fumbling and used the ball well.

In the same game Shaun McKernan had nine kicks and three marks for the Panthers. He played on tall forwards for most of the game and his work in the air was strong and aggressive. New recruit Daniel Talia also played in defence for South Adelaide and collected eight kicks and four handballs.

On Friday night Jason Porplyzia had his first hit out for the year for a dominant West Adelaide. He finished with two goals and 17 possessions and more importantly, ran out the four quarters.

Rookie Chris Schmidt was also among West’s best with nine kicks and 14 handballs. He tagged Magarey Medallist James Allan all night and was very influential in the first half with good ball use.

Phil Davis (six kicks, 10 handballs, three marks) was best for the Roosters playing as a tall defender and tall forward. He took two strong marks up forward for a goal & a goal assist and his work ethic & attitude was very good in a poor team performance. Rookie Matthew Wright had 19 possessions for the Roosters and was good in close at the stoppages.

James Sellar had a good performance in Glenelg’s big win over Norwood. He had 10 kicks, three handballs and six marks playing in the ruck and up forward.

Rookie Ricky Henderson kicked three goals for Central District in their win over Port Magpies on Saturday night. He finished with 10 possessions and eight marks and was offensively dangerous all night.

In the reserves 2009 draftee Jack Gunston kicked three goals for the Bulldogs and had 14 kicks, five handballs and eight marks in a classy performance. Brian Donnelly also had an encouraging performance in his first game for Central District reserves. He had 10 possessions and three tackles and showed a real desire to run and receive.

Rookie Aidan Riley had six kicks, nine handballs and seven tackles for Sturt’s reserves. He played on a half back flank and in the midfield and his in close handball and tackling was very good.